Streets of Rage II

"Greatest brawler of all time!!!"

Streets of Rage 2, thinking of this game brings back fond memories. I can remember playing this game when I was younger with my cousins; we would go to the local video game rental shop, and I would always want to pick this game up and play it. Back then I loved to go around with my cousins and beat up every one in site, and today I still find it fun, playing this game again, and handing out beatings to any one that gets in my way.

Well several years later, I decided to pick this game up again and relive the memories once again, on this old, but not forgotten game. When I first started playing the game again I noticed how good the graphics were for being a Genesis game, and the game play was incredibly smooth. I realized why I loved this game so much when I was younger, while games like Fighting Force and The Bouncer, have came out since then I still feel this is the king of all brawlers.

This is easily my favorite game in the series, the characters look great for being on the Genesis, and the backgrounds are nicely done, and the game speed is just right. While the first was a little to slow, and the third was a little to fast, the second one is just right. This is easily one of the best looking titles on the Genesis. The moves are easy to pull off, combos are simple, and to do a special, you need only to press the A button, but beware, doing this will take a bit of your health, so use it wisely.

In Streets of Rage 2, you must once again stop Mr. X, who has kidnapped Adam, you can choose to play as either Axel, Blaze, or new comers Max (a wrestler) or Skate (Adams cousin), each with their own unique strengths, and special movies. While Max may be the strongest of the for, he is also the slowest. And skate may be the fastest, yet he is the weakest of the four. Overall I would have to say Axel is the best character in the game, but you will have to pick the character, which best suites you.

There are eight levels in Streets of Rage 2, each filled with hoodlums and punks whom you must deal with, and there is always a boss at the end of the level whom you will have to take on to advance to the next level. There are also many weapons at your disposal to use, such as pipes, knives, and swords.
While it may not seem like a long game with only 8 levels, which usually takes me around 30-40 minutes to complete the entire game, it makes up for it in entertainment, and replay value. I have beat this game countless times by myself, and with a friend, and I have yet to get bored of this game. I always find myself going through this game again and again, always trying to beat my high score, or friends. There is also a two-player duel mode to add a little fun to mix.

The sound is good for it being a Genesis game, you will hear the scream of a dieing enemy, and the smashing of a lead pipe over some ones skull. And the music that plays during the levels and during the credits is also done very nicely.

The challenge in this game is definitely there, with six difficulty modes (Very Easy, Easy, Normal, Hard, Very Hard, and Mania). Only the bravest, most elite players of this game will dare to try this game on the Mania setting, and only the best will be able to complete it on this setting.

Streets of Rage 2 has withstood the test of time, it was a excellent game then, and today, has yet to be matched or beaten by any other brawler! And to this day, it is one of the greatest two player games I have ever played, and it is actually amazing to think of all the time I have racked up over the years cracking skulls and beating up all of Mr. X’s cronies in this this game.

This game is a true classic, I may never get to play another brawler quite as good as it, I will always cherish the memories of playing this game, any one whom has enjoyed side scrolling brawlers, should not pass up this classic gem. Not only is this my favorite brawler/fighter on the Genesis, it is on of the best games I have ever played. Hopefully I will get lucky, and Sega will release a new Streets of Rage that I have heard so much about, and if I am very lucky, it may some how a better game than Streets of Rage 2, all though it is highly unlikely, any thing is possible.

Graphics- 9. /10
Sound- 9/10
Game play- 10/10
Replay value- 10/10
Tilt- 10/10

Overall- 9

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 05/19/03, Updated 05/19/03